Due to a potentially faulty sensor mat, Kia is voluntarily recalling Kia Rio models from the 2006 to 2008 model years. The sensor in the passenger's seat is susceptible to cracking from fatigue. If that happens, it may not be able to detect whether a child is in the seat, nor will it be able to adjust the airbag deployment settings so as not to deploy if there is a child present.

Kia says there are around 73,000 units affected, and the Korean automaker will begin notifying owners in July. Scroll down for the bulletin posted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Summary:KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 RIO VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM FEBRUARY 20, 2005, THROUGH DECEMBER 9, 2007. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR MAT CAN EXPERIENCE FATIGUE CRACKING. IF SUFFICIENT CRACKING OCCURS, THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) WILL CEASE TO FUNCTION SUCH THAT THE SYSTEM WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETECT WHETHER A CHILD PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WILL DEPLOY DURING A CRASH NECESSITATING DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence:AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITH A CHILD IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT INCREASES THE RISK OF INJURY TO THAT CHILD.

Remedy:KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OCS SEAT SENSOR MAT, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.

You have read this article Kia /
Kia Rio /
News
with the title Kia recalls nearly 73,000 Rio models over airbag issue. You can bookmark this page URL http://rouserworks.blogspot.com/2012/06/kia-recalls-nearly-73000-rio-models.html. Thanks!